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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

During that period, an internal conflict in the People’s Party between the military group

and the civilian officers intensified. The last straw broke when the Japanese Troop invaded Siam.
Pridi Banomyong merely allowed the Japanese troop to move past Siam to other countries but

Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram wanted to join the Japanese troop and declared war against
the Allied countries. After Field Marshal Plaek’s defeat along with Japan, Pridi Banomyong revised

the constitution in 1946.

The second period of compromise between the civilian officers of the People’s

Party and the Royal Institute

The constitution of the Thai Kingdom B.E. 2489 was Pridi Banomyong’s effort to compromise
with the Royal Institute in 1946. His Majesty King Rama VII gave his response on the following

issues.
1) He opposed to special courts, such as the political court, which Field Marshal Plaek

used to get rid of the opponents including the Royal family members such as Krom Phraya
Chainatnarenthon (Prince of Chai Nat), who was stripped of the title to become a civilian as

Mr. Rangsit Prayurasakdi.
2) He included the public right and freedom in the document.

3) He proposed the veto rule, stating that a law can only be enacted after the king’s veto
is overridden, provided both parliaments reach an agreement.

4) The king requested approval for the appointment of Privy Council.

The third period of restoration of the Royal power
After the 1947 revolution by Field Marshal Phin Choonhavan, at the time, Field Marshal

Plaek had just been released from captivity as a prisoner of war. He planned to take control
of Khuang Aphaiwong, the Prime Minister (1947-1948), but Khuang, who was also the leader of

the Democrat Party, resisted. Instead, he appointed the committee to draft the constitution.
The constitution of the Thai Kingdom B.E. 2492 was completed in 1949.

The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2492 is seen as a restoration of
the status and power of His Majesty the King, in contrast to the previous ones, B.E. 2475 and

B.E. 2489, which contained only limited provisions regarding monarchy. Chapter II: The King was
added for the first time in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2492 and contained

21 sections such as “No person shall expose the King to any sort of accusation (section 6),”
selection and appointment of the Privy Councilors, appointment and removal of officials of

the Royal Household and of the Royal Chief Aide-de-Camp, selection and appointment of

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